In a debate on increasing interest in mandating that schools be mobile phone free in the House of Lords last week, several peers raised the important issue of children with diabetes who use mobile devices to help manage their condition.
We were pleased that advisory guidance on using mobile phones in schools published in February stated the need for reasonable adjustments for children living with a medical conditions, specifically referencing someone living with diabetes as an example.
Technology such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) now helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar by sending readings directly to their mobile phones. Research has shown that for children living with type 1 diabetes, improved blood glucose control was associated with higher educational attainment, despite more school absences.
We have been campaigning to make sure that schools identify pupils who need to use their phones through the use of Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs), alongside the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance.
We briefed Members of the House of Lords on our position and are happy that they echoed it in Parliament.
“Diabetes UK make a very sensible point that diabetes management is now done mainly through an app so all of these should be part of an individual HCP. I agree that it is vital that children use the latest technology to manage serious medical conditions.” – Lord Hampton
“There are times when smartphones are necessary such as diabetes where mobile phones help them manage blood sugar” – Baroness Kidron
The government stated that the advisory guidance on using mobile phones in schools on mobile phones in schools was sufficient and have no plans to change it but will continue to monitor its impact.
They reiterated that any rules around mobile phones in schools must comply with their statutory duty which includes having arrangements in place to support children with medical conditions like diabetes.
We will continue to monitor discourse around mobile phones in schools and make clear the need for children with diabetes to have access to manage their diabetes.
